DOLMEN Grove druids and witches are staging one of the biggest pagan festivals in England this weekend - complete with a giant wicker man made in a Weymouth garden.

The figure plays a leading role in the Beltane Spirit of Rebirth Festival at Burnbake camp site near Corfe Castle when it will be burned as the high point of a fire ritual on Saturday night.

Chris Walsh, arch-druid Melkin of the Dolmen Grove, which is based in the Dorchester area, said: "This is the first time we have organised a Beltane festival though we've done others at different times of the year.

"We've held rituals at Maumbury Rings but we couldn't have this one there because of the fire ritual for one thing. The wicker man is an important part of it.

"During the day people write down their thoughts and wishes on paper and pop them into the wicker man. At the end of the evening he will be set alight and all the things that were on people's minds go with it.

"It will be quite a spectacle."

The ritual will be the end of the figure, which has been constructed of wood and greenery in the Lanehouse back garden of one of the Dolmen Grove Druids.

Mr Walsh said: "It will be really big when it's on the site because we'll put it up on legs so it could stand about 20 feet tall. It will be lit by firing a burning arrow into it."

He said the event is one of the biggest pagan festivals staged in the country and marks one of the most important dates in the pagan calendar - Beltane at the end of April.

He said the festival was expected to draw up to 500 people. Entry is by ticket at the gate during the three-day event.

Well known pagan leaders including Rollo Maughling, arch-druid of Stonehenge, will be attending along with guest speakers.

The UK's leading pagan folk band the Dolmen plus Damh the Bard and others will provide entertainment and the Pickled Witch Market of stalls will be set up on site.

Find out more at www.thecoranieid.co.uk or call Chris Walsh on 07918 143682 for more details.